It’s that time of the year again people, the Oscar season is officially on as the nominees for the 91st Academy Awards are set be announced tomorrow! So without further ado, let me to tell you about my predictions for this year’s Oscars nominees!

I would’ve picked only 7 films for this category but I added Vice and Bohemian Rhapsody. The latter is due to the fact that it went on to become the highest-grossing musical biographical film of all-time and with Rami Malek racking up six Best Actor awards as of press time. Vice on the hand is one of the critics’ favorites from last year despite tanking at the box office.

My rank 1-4 are pretty much locked for this category. At first, I picked First Man’s Claire Foy but Emily Blunt’s name last year made some serious buzz so she may just complete the 5th spot. Viola Davis could also pose some serious mixed-up for this race but for now, I thought it’s just pure hype. I also didn’t include Yalitza Aparicio because I feel that she came in late in the competition.

This category is a bit tricky because The Favourite’s stars Emma and Rachel are both in my list which I thought are rightfully deserved spot for them but I feel that only one of them will get the nod and I’m leaning towards Rachel Weisz.

Blurb: Azariah Bell is a nervous wreck. He isn’t prepared to spend the final week of the year with his best friend, Ky O’Sullivan, lead vocalist for their pop rock band, Moving Insignia—especially after the fight he caused before they parted ways two weeks ago.

Afraid of not being taken seriously by Ky, Azariah was concerned about what confessing his feelings would do to their friendship, or the band. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but instead, he exploded in anger over some petty issue, and now he’s potentially lost Ky forever.

Ky is looking forward to the band’s annual writing retreat for a week of songwriting and recording at a secluded mountain resort. Spending Christmas with his family gave Ky time to reflect on how he’d handled Azariah’s epic meltdown. It wasn’t good, and Ky is determined to uncover the true nature of Azariah’s unusual behavior. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, or so he believed.

Expecting to see the rest of the band when they arrive by helicopter, Ky and Azariah are shocked to learn they are alone at a deserted lodge. When they discover they’ve been set up by their bandmates so they can “sort it out,” their choices are few. But it’s critical for them to resolve their problems if they have any hope of enjoying the new year together, let alone make that new album happen.

I’m such a sucker for cute and angsty love story so it’s no wonder that I’d enjoy this one! I absolutely adore Ky and Azariah and I loved how they’re so oblivious with each other’s feelings, it was just so cute! I enjoyed their lovely backstory of becoming bffs right away and how their bandmates are all so supportive! The band actually reminds me of the wonderful guys in MJ O’Shea’s Catch My Breath.

Ky and Azariah’s personality are also something that I enjoyed here. Especially Ky – I just loved his ‘broody’ vibes! It was also cute how they have their akward internal monologues! And their sexy times!!! Whoot Hoot!!! I just loved it! I loved the transition in their relationship of being the best of friends to becoming lovers like nothing has changed since they’ve love each other for so long.

If you’re looking for a cute read, then this one short read you’d definitely enjoy!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

About The AuthorRiina currently resides in Germany. She spent countless exciting days in the UK and US and lost her heart in Tokyo.She would be thrilled if one day her stories could brighten someone’s day in the way those beautiful romances always lighten up her dull everyday life. Riina is looking forward to sharing many more stories with the world.When she doesn’t daydream about boys in love, and isn’t glued to her Kindle, Riina loves to travel the world and explore the unknown.Website: http://www.riinayt.wordpress.com

Like this:

It was the most beautiful day in the Universe yesterday as another Filipina was yet again proclaimed the queen of the Universe 💕🇵🇭

Catriona Elisa Magnayon Gray was able to clinched the 67th Miss Universe title and the fourth crown for the Philippines besting 93 delegates across the globe.

All throughout her journey, Catriona have shown to the world the beauty of the Philippines most especially its indigenous fabrics and patriotic designs through her OOTDs! One of the most talked-about piece since her Binibining Pilipinas days was her Three Stars and the Sun earcuff and our newly crowned Miss Univese together with Tessera Jewelry just elevated the patriotic earcuff and added a pair of golden south sea pearls studded with diamonds and rubies! Wow! How’s that for a queen?!

Truly, we stan an artistic queen and I cannot wait until these accessories becomes available to the public!

For Inquiries:

WhatsApp/Viber/SMS: +639171793352 or e-mail them at sales-tessera@gmail.com

The Miss Universe Organization just announced today the name of the all-female commitee who will determine the successor of Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters as the next Miss Universe. Both preliminary and final telecast will be judged by the same panel. They are:

Monique Lhuillier
World renowned bridal and fashion designer with creations worn by celebrated women including first ladies of the United States for more than two decades; member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America

Janaye Ingram/nydailynews

Janaye Ingram
Corporate executive, political grassroots organizer and founder of Women’s March, Inc.; 2017 Glamour Magazine Women of the Year along with her fellow Women’s March organizers; Miss New Jersey USA 2004
Michelle McLean: Returning to Bangkok, where she was crowned Miss Universe 1992 from Namibia, internationally recognized model and television presenter; Chairperson of the Michelle McLean Children Trust and Founding partner of the Business of Beauty

Iman Oubou/outremersbeyou.com

Iman Oubou
Moroccan-American entrepreneur, former pageant titleholder and founder of women’s digital platform SWAAY MEDIA; published scientist recently named as one of CIO Magazine’s 2018 “Female Entrepreneur’s to Watch” and awarded the first ever “Visage Du Maroc” of 2018, a new initiative uplifting female voices in Morocco and across the Middle East

Lili Gil Valletta/bizjournals.com

Lili Gil Valletta
Award-winning entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of CulturIntel and CIEN+, TV business commentator and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader; O.S. Hispanic Businessperson of the Year; and 2018 Women of Excellence Award recipient, among others

Richelle Singson-Michael/LinkedIn

Richelle Singson-Michael
CEO of Platinum Skies Aviation and FinTech Casha.me; pioneering architect and Vice Chairwoman of the LCS Group of Companies, which led and oversaw the successful hosting of the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® in the Philippines

Another update that I wanted to post here is Troye Sivan’s Bloom Tour in Asia! Yasss!!! You’ve read it right! Troye is coming to Asia and Manila is one of his destinations!!! I am so happy he didn’t wait too long to do a show here!

He will be performing at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 01, 2019 – ticket prices to be announced – and I’m so ready to buy my VIP ticket!!!!

I’ve been MIA during the start of the Miss Universe proper in Bangkok because I’m attending some personal issues but now that I’ve found some time to actually post some updates here, let me start with yesterday’s National Costume show.

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray’s national costume was one of the most anticipated costumes of any Philippine delegate to ever compete in the pageant as well as any delegates in this year’s edition. The costume apresented to the public last night in Pattaya garnered polarizing reception from the different spectrum of social media.

Her elaborate costume with a touch of the #BuongPilipinas or the whole Philippines is something that has never been seen from a Philippine delegate in the past editions or any international beauty pageants that usually settles for a single-themed outfits.

This intricately designed ensemble is called “LuzViMinda” in a collaboration of different designers with Catriona’s inputs too! Jojo Bragais designed and provided the thigh-high boots and the beautiful headress representating Mindanao, Eric Quiwa for the Parol representing Luzon and Jearson Demavivas who spearheaded the creation of this costume and was also responsible for Catriona’s winning national costume during the Binibining Pilipinas earlier this year worked on the Pintados body representing the Visayas region.

The costume may have not garnered universal acclaim but for a delegate to represent the country with such pride in our culture and heritage is achievement enough and is already a winner in my book!

In the midst of sociopolitical divisiveness in the Philippines, Catriona Gray and her team made me realized that outside of this spectrum, there’s a lot to be proud of our country, our people and our history.

The Miss Universe competition proper is looming around and it’s going to be an all or nothing journey for Philippines’ bet Catriona Gray as she aims to win the fourth Miss Universe crown for the country, merely three years after Pia Wurtzbach controversial crowning in Las Vegas.

In her recent guesting in The Bottom Line with Boy Abunda, Gray stated that she never considered failure in terms of actually winning the crown.

I never consider failure. Why? Because I feel that if you have that in your vision, it will distract you, it will withdraw your energy from you. And I need 100%, 120% of my energy to go towards winning.

In a stunning showcase of her gift of gab, Catriona answered questions relevant to the country and issues its facing today and she answered them oh-so-eloquently, whilst getting tips from the Talk Show king Abunda himself.

Here are some of the questions asked by the panel.

What’s her take on the recent passage of the Mental Health Act:I think it’s a great step forward because I believe that there’s more awareness now than there ever was before. And it’s something usually that wasn’t talked about because we thought it was a weak will or weak sense of character. Maybe they’re just going through something bad or we made up all these excuses to color over what was the truth behind it. But now that we have something that can be put in place, the proper education can finds its way to the hands of people that need it. And the stigma can start to break apart.

Why is she mum about her political views:I like to take it as if it’s the time and place. I am not going to be a public figure that just spouses an opinion without being considerate of both sides and validating both sides because at the end of the day, I wear a Philippines sash and the Philippines is made up of millions of Filipinos with different points of view and different political standpoints. So I never want to polarize that.

The truth why she decided to apply as an independent candidate during the Binibining Pilipinas when she was initially under Aces & Queens back when she competed for Miss World Philippines and subsequently won: (Would you rather be the one who hides the truth, or tells a lie)I would rather be the one who hides the truth because I believe no matter what, the truth will always come out. And I always believe that staying true to myself which is what I did in being an independent candidate, I just wanted to create my own team. Instead of focusing on multiple girls, I got undecided focus from a team of people that I chose myself. So I was allowed to be creative in that space and surround myself with a core team and it’s one of the best decisions I made

And the question that made Boy Abunda jump off his seat! It was really funny, tbh.How would you convince a feminist that beauty pageant are still relevant?I believe the aim of feminism isn’t to bring women down for what they choose to express themselves as or what they choose to pursue. I think and I believe that the whole aim of feminism is to support women in whatever they choose to do as long as it’s considerate and respectful to someone else.

With the caliber of how she answered these hard-hitting questions, it is very hard to lower our expectations for Catriona who is heading to Thailand next month as one of the pageant’s frontrunners.

If you’re like me who’s looking for something to read over the holidays – then look no more because I’ve got you. I mean, NinePress Star will be releasing a holiday anthology that is surely going to tickle your boy to boy – men 2 men romance fantasies! That doesn’t sound dirty at all, is it? Haha!

Let me present to you of course the first story I’d be reading in the series – it is from one of my favorite people from Europe! 💙 From my good friend Riina Y.T. who wrote the very charming Spring, Bax and Butterflies and the super adorable Blame the Fireworks comes Paradise Lodge.

Azariah Bell is a nervous wreck. He isn’t prepared to spend the final week of the year with his best friend, Ky O’Sullivan, lead vocalist for their pop rock band, Moving Insignia—especially after the fight he caused before they parted ways two weeks ago.

Afraid of not being taken seriously by Ky, Azariah was concerned about what confessing his feelings would do to their friendship, or the band. He tried to keep his emotions in check, but instead, he exploded in anger over some petty issue, and now he’s potentially lost Ky forever.

Ky is looking forward to the band’s annual writing retreat for a week of songwriting and recording at a secluded mountain resort. Spending Christmas with his family gave Ky time to reflect on how he’d handled Azariah’s epic meltdown. It wasn’t good, and Ky is determined to uncover the true nature of Azariah’s unusual behavior. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, or so he believed.

Expecting to see the rest of the band when they arrive by helicopter, Ky and Azariah are shocked to learn they are alone at a deserted lodge. When they discover they’ve been set up by their bandmates so they can “sort it out,” their choices are few. But it’s critical for them to resolve their problems if they have any hope of enjoying the new year together, let alone make that new album happen.

I am super-excited to read this one and enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed SBB and Blame the Fireworks!!!!

About The AuthorRiina currently resides in Germany. She spent countless exciting days in the UK and US and lost her heart in Tokyo.She would be thrilled if one day her stories could brighten someone’s day in the way those beautiful romances always lighten up her dull everyday life. Riina is looking forward to sharing many more stories with the world.When she doesn’t daydream about boys in love, and isn’t glued to her Kindle, Riina loves to travel the world and explore the unknown.Website: http://www.riinayt.wordpress.com